Poems from the forthcoming collection of a mining agent-I As a newly anointed ‘mining agent’ , I would be dedicating a series of numerous poems (they come so easily to me since my childhood, like salivation or urination…) to miners of Goa whom people love to hate..or hate to love depending on attitudes or agendas-indigenous or exotic..
( Poem dedicated to Goan mining magnate Shri Dattarajbab V. Salgaonkar who also runs “ Goa Today” and Konkani daily ‘Sunaparanta’ and a lavish art gallery in a palatial Indo Portuguese mansion at Altinho, Panaji, patronised by many mining agents) I-Sunaparanta Oh Rajbab! I have just returned from the ravaged hills of Kodamba, Kushavati I made red fiery speeches there, I lit ambers… I shouted slogans , clicked some snaps for the NET (you may download them from http://naxaliteminingfart. blogspot. com) See the stains on my palms The bleeding soil of Goa See the feet drenched in mud.. Yes, I condemned the miners.. That was the agenda for the day.. Now I have a different one.. The artistic, the sublime, the creative The other side of me… I have a request..Rajbab I am a reborn Valmiki “Ma nishad pratishtam, tvamagama shashwati sama, Yetkraunch mithunadekamavadhi kamamohitam’ (Ramayana, anustubh Chhanda) Like one Dasgupta who has promised ( or threatened) to rise from his ashes Perhaps from Sundargarh forests of Orissa.. I am entitled dear Rajbab, To regurgitate my agony In artistic ecstasy.. Let me put my colourful creations.. My mined ejaculations.. In your beautiful art gallery.. I hope perhaps you would patronise my art.. You are known to patronise even your worst critics.. Even those who sign condemning anti mining petitions.. I am floating on clouds of hope.. After returning from the abyss of Kodamb.. After the curator offers some coffee, cakes Which we couldn’t get anywhere between Margao to poor Kodamba.. I would make an offer, tell the price… Right now I am not purchasable.. my art is.. See the stains on my palms Let me wash them in airconditioned basins of Sunaparanta Let me undergo a catharsis I am a born artist, art is my interest Believe me Rajbab There is no conflict of interest -Mining agent-Nandkumar Kamat, 2010, End of poem I in a series of numerous poems. to follow
